Leg cramping is extremely painful.
Leg cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions of the calf muscles during the night or periods of rest. Apart from the calves, contractions can also occur in the soles of the feet or other muscles in the body. At the location of the cramp, you may feel a hard lump of muscle tissue. The duration of these cramps can be anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Although the intense pain may go away, muscle soreness may remain for some time. Anyone can get these types of cramps, but they are more common in people who are middle-aged or older. They may also occur quite frequently in teenagers and in people who exercise at night. The precise cause of leg cramps at night is unclear. However, there are many contributing factors that can cause this painful problem. Here are some of the reasons why you have leg cramping at night. Dehydration Proper hydration contributes to a healthier body and mind. It also impacts the performance of your muscles. Water comprises 75 percent of muscle tissue and helps them contract and relax easily. So, not maintaining proper levels of hydration during the day may be one of the big causes of leg cramps at night. Water is also important for proper circulation of nutrients in the body. Without water, muscles will be deprived of important nutrients, which can lead to imbalances of electrolytes (mainly sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium). In fact, even small amounts of dehydration may hinder athletic performance and increase the chance of cramps at night. Nutritional Deficiency Any kind of imbalance of mineral electrolytes—sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium—in the body can contribute to night-time and exercise-associated cramps. These minerals are responsible for both nerve impulses and muscle contractions, and keep your muscles working smoothly.
Additionally, certain B vitamins impact muscle function, particularly vitamin B12. Overexertion or Prolonged Standing Standing on a hard surface for a long time as well as standing while wearing high heels or poorly fitting shoes can contribute to muscle fatigue or overexertion. This in turn can cause leg cramps at night. Also, sitting improperly or putting your legs in awkward and uncomfortable positions when sleeping can contribute to night-time leg cramps. Pregnancy Pregnant women often experience leg cramps at night, usually starting in the second trimester and lasting through the third trimester. These cramps may vary in intensity, from mild to extremely painful. Leg cramps during pregnancy may be due to the increasing pressure of the uterus on certain nerves, fatigue, or reduced circulation in the legs from the pressure of the baby on blood vessels. During pregnancy, if you frequently suffer from leg cramps either during the day or at night, it is important to discuss this problem with your doctor. Hypothyroidism A low level of thyroid hormones can indirectly contribute to muscle weakness as well as calf cramps at night. The thyroid hormones can affect calcium absorption and utilization. Calcium deficiency is associated with muscle weakness, numbness, pain and cramps. Also, low thyroid hormones lead to low metabolism. High metabolism is important for energy as well as how your muscles feel after doing your regular exercises. A low level of thyroid hormones also often increases inflammation that may be contributing to your muscle cramping and pain. Uncontrolled Diabetes Diabetes can also contribute to leg muscle cramping. In fact, it is a symptom of a form of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy, one of the complications of uncontrolled diabetes. Besides the sharp pain in the leg muscle, diabetes patients may also experience tingling and numbness. Elevated blood sugar also causes excessive urination and subsequent dehydration, which contributes to night leg cramps. If you’re experiencing muscle cramps related to diabetes, consult your doctor immediately. Catching nerve damage early is important in preventing further complications. Alcohol Abuse Excess alcohol intake is not good to your health. Peripheral nerves can become damaged due to too much alcohol use, causing alcoholic neuropathy. Leg pain and muscle cramps are common symptoms of alcoholic neuropathy. Excessive drinking causes dehydration due to the diuretic effect of alcohol. Plus, it can cause a magnesium deficiency. Another important point to note is that excess alcohol intake increases the content of lactic acid in your body. Excessive lactic acid can lead to cramps or pain in your muscles. Certain Medications Another cause of night-time cramps is a side effect of medications. Certain medicines, especially cholesterol-lowering agents (statins) and diuretics, contribute to the loss of water and electrolytes from the body. This in turn makes you more prone to having cramps. Other medicines, such as antipsychotics, birth control pills and steroids, can also cause cramps. If cramps start suddenly after you begin taking a new medication, consult your doctor. Tips to fix and prevent leg cramping at night
References http://www.bpac.org.nz/BPJ/2012/december/docs/bpj_49_legcramps_pages_24-28.pdf https://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/pdfs/fitfacts/itemid_173.pdf |
AuthorCharita Lankage Archives
October 2017
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